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Don Mueang was once part of Bang Khen but it became a district in its own right in 1989. Later in 1997, the southern part of Don Mueang was split out to establish a new district Lak Si. The old name for the area was Don I Yiao (ดอนอีเหยี่ยว) meaning plateau of eagles and vultures due to its geography and abundance of those birds. The new name was given by King Vajiravudh when the Royal Thai Air Force base was established there.

In recent years, Don Mueang has become a stronghold for Pheu Thai Party (and its predecessors, Thai Rak Thai Party and People's Power Party),[1] winning in every general and gubernatorial elections after the 2006 coup and is considered a "deep red" district. The last time the Democrats had an MP in the constituency was in 1976.[2] However in the late 2012, Kanoknuch Naksuwanpha, a Democrat and a long-time local politician, won an upset election to secure her seat in the City Council. It is believed that the reason she won was because of her long ties with Don Mueang as she built her political base in the area for decades.[3]